15 Ravens Move on to College Athletics

On April 25, 2025, during Ravenscroft’s schoolwide Spring Pep Rally, 15 Ravens from the Class of 2025 were recognized for their commitment to continue their athletic careers in college. Held in the Warner Arena of the Olander Center for Student Life at the A.E. Finley Foundation, Assistant Athletic Director Jim Gibbons addressed the school community by remarking on the athletes dedication through countless hours to practices, workouts, and competitions and representation of Ravenscroft over many years.

“They are in the small percentage nationally who will advance to the collegiate level. Nationally, 7.4 million students participate in high school athletics, and only six percent go on to play at the collegiate level,” Gibbons said. “This year, 15 out of 124 members of the Class of 2025, or 12 percent, will continue to pursue their dreams.”

Congratulations to the following student-athletes for their many accomplishments and best wishes for continued success!

• Haley Browne ’25: Cross Country and Track & Field, Boston University (MA)
• Jackson Bubar ’25: Swimming, Davidson College (NC)
• Ellie Cronin ’25: Basketball, Colgate University (NY)
• Drew Davis ’25: Swimming, Bucknell University (PA)
• Will Eichler ’25: Baseball, Barton College (NC)
• Chance Gladden ’25: Basketball, Boston University (MA) 
• Frank Hassell ’25: Swimming, Monmouth University (NJ)
• Kaleb James ’25: Swimming, Howard University (DC)
• Mikey Leaf ’25: Wrestling, Marymount University (VA)
• Morgan Rigsbee ’25: Cheerleading, UNC Wilmington 
• Morgan Riley ’25: Golf, Harvard University (MA)
• Cole Rogers ’25: Lacrosse, High Point University (NC)
• Darian Schoonmaker ’25: Cheerleading, Eckerd College (FL)
• Anna Sonntag ’25: Softball, Sewanee University of the South
• Brandon Williams ‘25: Football, Howard University (DC) 

 

Enjoy photos from the ceremony and Spring Pep Rally on Flickr.

 

Athlete Bios and Highlights

Haley Browne ’25: Cross Country and Track & Field, Boston University (MA)

Haley  Browne is a two-time Cross Country team MVP (2023 and 2024) and an All-TISAC performer, including the TISAC Individual Champion this fall. She placed sixth in the fall NCISAA state meet, earning All-State Honors. Haley was the 2024 Girls' Spring Track Team MVP, and in the 2024 winter season, she was both the Team MVP and an All-State selection. The Raleigh Sports Club recognized her as their student-athlete of the week on April 2, 2025. Haley will continue her running career at Boston University..
 

Jackson Bubar ’25: Swimming, Davidson College (NC)

Jackson is a four-time All-TISAC performer. As a sophomore and junior, he was the TISAC 100 Butterfly Champion and was a member of the winning 200 Freestyle relay as a sophomore and 400 Freestyle Relay as a junior. He’s also a member of two School Records in the 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle relays set last season as a junior. The 400 Freestyle Relay time of 3:05.55 earned an Automatic High School All-American time standard. At the 2025 NCISAA State Championships, Jackson helped the school secure its first Boys Swimming NCISAA State Championship since 2003. He placed 4th in the 100 Butterfly and 100 Backstroke events. He helped set new school records for relays in the The 200 Medley and 200 Freestyle relays at both the TISAC and NCISAA meets. Jackson will continue his swimming career at Davidson College.

 

Ellie Cronin ’25: Basketball, Colgate University (NY)

Ellie is a two-year letter winner and Captain. She was the 2024 and 2025 team MVP. Ellie is a two-time Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference All-Conference selection and the 2025 TISAC Player of the Year, leading the Ravens to the TISAC Championship. Ellie was also selected to the NCISAA All-State team this winter. Ellie will be on the court next year for Colgate University in Hamilton, NY.

 

Drew Davis ’25: Swimming, Bucknell University (PA)

Davis is a five-time letter-winner in the pool, a three-time All-TISAC performer, and the 2022-23 Team MVP. As a sophomore, he was the 500 Freestyle champion and also won the 200 Freestyle. He was a member of the winning 400 Freestyle relay team last season as a junior. Drew holds two relay school records in the 200 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle. The 400 Freestyle relay time of 3:05.55 earned an Automatic High School All-American time standard. Outside of school, he swims for the Marlins of Raleigh. For the Marlins, he is a two-time Scholastic All-American honoree. He qualified for the US Open Championships in July 2024.  \He is a Junior Nationals qualifier in two events. His Marlins of Raleigh team won the Futures Championship meet last summer. He is also a member of the Marlins of Raleigh's two-time record-breaking 800 Freestyle relay team. This winter, Drew was on the podium at the 2025 NCISAA state meet, finishing in 3rd place in the 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke. He also helped set new school records for relays in the 200 and 400 Freestyle relays at the TISAC and NCISAA meets. Drew was named the 2025 Coach's Award winner for Coach Greg Warren's team. Drew will be swimming at Bucknell University next fall.

 

Will Eichler ’25: Baseball, Barton College (NC)

Will has earned eight varsity letters as a Raven. Four in Baseball, three in football, and one in winter track. He was the 2023 Varsity Baseball MVP and earned ALL-TISAC honors in 2024. Will has been a major contributor, helping lead the Ravens each spring on the mound and at the plate. Will plans to continue his career on the diamond at Barton College in Wilson, NC. 

 

Chance Gladden ’25: Basketball, Boston University (MA) 

Chance has left his mark on the Ravenscroft Boys Basketball program. Chance was a two-time NCISAA All-State selection, a two-time All-TISAC selection, and a two-time TISAC Player of the Year. Chance was the team's MVP for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He is a two-time John Wall Invitational Most Valuable Player. He holds the John Wall Holiday Tournament single-game scoring record with 57 points versus Southern Durham; most points scored in a Ravenscroft season with 759. He is a Jimmy V. Classic MVP. Outside of Ravenscroft, Chance plays for Team CP3, a premier AAU team in North Carolina and the country. Chance will continue his hoops career at Boston University next year.

 

Frank Hassell ’25: Swimming, Monmouth University (NJ)

Frank is a four-year letter winner and lettered in Cross Country as a freshman. He earned All-TISAC honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior. This winter, he helped lead the Boys Swim team to the NCISAA State Championship, earning All-State honors. He placed fourth in the 100 Breaststroke and seventh in the 200 Individual Medley. He helped set new school records for relays in the 200 Medley Relay and 200 Freestyle relays at the TISAC and NCISAA meets. Frank will be in the pool for Monmouth University in New Jersey next year.

 

Kaleb James ’25: Swimming, Howard University (DC)

Kaleb is a six-time All-TISAC performer. As a sophomore, he won the 100 breaststroke and was a member of the winning 200 Freestyle relay. As a junior, he was voted the male swimmer of the meet by the TISAC head coaches for winning all four of his events, including the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard backstroke, and was also a member of two winning relay teams. During his junior season, the 400 Freestyle relay time of 3:05.55 earned an Automatic High School All-American time standard. A two-time Scholastic All-American honoree. He also swims outside of school for his club team, the Marlins of Raleigh. Where he has been recognized as a rising swimmer, attending the National Diversity Select Camp as a junior, becoming a Junior Nationals qualifier. Also qualified twice to be a member of North Carolina’s Southern Zones Swimming Team, helping them win two championships. This winter, Kaleb was an individual and team NCISAA State Champion,  winning the 100 Breaststroke and placing third in the 200 IM. He helped set new school records for relays in the 200 and 400 Freestyle relays at the TISAC and NCISAA meets. Kaleb will continue his swimming career at Howard University for the Bison.

 

Mikey Leaf ’25: Wrestling, Marymount University (VA)

Mikey Leaf is a five-time letter winner in wrestling and has also earned three more on the golf course. Mikey leaves Ravenscroft as one of the wrestling program's most decorated wrestlers. Finishing with a career record of 126 and 52. His 178 career starts are a school record. Mikey amassed 82 Career pins, a school record. 46 Wins in his senior season, also a new school record. He is a four-time TISAC Conference Champion, a five-time NCISAA State Place Winner, a 2025 NCISAA State Runner-Up, and 2025 Prep National Qualifier. He is a two-time medalist on the podium at the prestigious WRAL Invitational. Mikey will continue his wrestling career at Marymount University in Arlington, VA.

 

Morgan Rigsbee ’25: Cheerleading, UNC Wilmington 

Morgan is a seven-time letter winner in Cheerleading and was the 2021 Most Improved Cheerleader, the 2023 Winter Cheer MVP, and the 2024 Fall Cheer MVP. She is a huge part of the current senior cheerleaders, who have revived our cheerleading squad under Coach Sam Womble. Morgan has earned a spot for the Seahawks of UNC Wilmington for next year.

 

Morgan Riley ’25: Golf, Harvard University (MA)

Morgan is a six-time letter winner in boys' golf. He was the 2024 TISAC individual champion, a three-time All-TISAC Performer and a three-time NCISAA All-State performer. Morgan was the 2022 Coach's Award winner and is a Two-time Team MVP in 2023 and 2024. He still has a few more weeks to add to this great resume. Morgan will continue his career on the links at Harvard University. 

 

Cole Rogers ’25: Lacrosse, High Point University (NC)

Cole is a four-year starter and a four-time letter winner for the Ravens in Lacrosse. This year, he is a senior year Captain and a major contributor to the team. Cole will continue his career at High Point University.

 

Darian Schoonmaker ’25: Cheerleading, Eckerd College (FL)

Darian is a two-sport athlete and a five-time letter-winner in cheerleading and golf. She earned the 2022 Most Improved Award in Golf and the 2023 Coach's Award. This winter, she earned the Cheerleading Most Improved Award. Darian is a part of the current cheerleaders, who have rebuilt our cheerleading squad under Coach Sam Womble. Darian will join the Cheerleading squad at Eckerd College in Florida.

 

Anna Sonntag ’25: Softball, Sewanee University of the South

Anna is a two-sport athlete and a nine-time letter winner, with three letters in volleyball and six in softball. Anna was selected for the 2024 TISAC All-Conference team and served as a Captain for both the 2024 and 2025 teams. She will continue her softball career for the Tigers at Sewanee: The University of the South in Tennessee.
 

Brandon Williams ’25: Football, Howard University (DC) 

Brandon is a two-year letter winner in football and a Captain for the 2024 team. He also earned a letter in winter track in 2024, earning All-Conference honors. Brandon was the Football team MVP this fall and was a two-time coaches' selection to the ALL-Big East Independent Football Conference. Brandon will continue his football career on the gridiron for the Bison at Howard University. 

Back Row: Frank Hassell, Jackson Bubar, Morgan Riley, Kaleb James, Drew Davis, Will Eichler, Ellie Cronin

Front Row: Mikey Leaf, Haley Browne, Morgan Rigsbee, Darian Schoonmaker, Anna Sonntag, Cole Rogers

Not Pictured: Chance Gladden